The parable of the sower of seeds
Written: December 21, 2009
Mat 13:3-8, 19-23 And he spoke to them many things in parables, saying: Behold the sower went forth to sow. (4) And whilst he soweth some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate them up. (5) And other some fell upon stony ground, where they had not much earth: and they sprung up immediately, because they had no deepness of earth. (6) And when the sun was up they were scorched: and because they had not root, they withered away. (7) And others fell among thorns: and the thorns grew up and choked them. (8) And others fell upon good ground: and they brought forth fruit, some an hundred fold, some sixty fold, and some thirty fold. (19) When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, there cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart: this is he that received the seed by the way side. (20) And he that received the seed upon stony ground, is he that heareth the word, and immediately receiveth it with joy. (21) Yet hath he not root in himself, but is only for a time: and when there ariseth tribulation and persecution because of the word, he is presently scandalized. (22) And he that received the seed among thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choketh up the word, and he becometh fruitless. (23) But he that received the seed upon good ground, is he that heareth the word, and understandeth, and beareth fruit, and yieldeth the one an hundredfold, and another sixty, and another thirty.
This is an important lesson which all of us must understand and be aware of since it may very well apply to what each of us is dealing with today; because it is a question we should be asking ourselves daily. How are we receiving the promptings that God gives us; hints of what he has planned for each of our lives? From time to time, in my own life, I have found myself being in each one of these examples where the seed, which is the seed of faith, fell on the various kinds of ground I provided, which is obviously analogous to the disposition of my heart. The following is more reflective, rather than exegetical, so take what is good, and discard what is useless.
The seeds that fell by the wayside.
The Church teaches that all who are baptized in Christ are priests of God, whether ministerial or lay. With regard to the lay state, we also share in the three-fold ministry of Christ, as priest, prophet, and king, in a different way in which the ministerial priesthood shares in Christ’s ministry. We are priests since we offer up the sacrifices of our state in life as students and professionals. We are prophets since we are called to share the Gospel which the ministerial priesthood has preached and expounded to us, with those who are outside of the reach of the ministerial priests; to the atheists and the agnostics, to the lukewarm, and to the separated brethren. We are also kings since we are called to rule and govern the spheres which God has planted us in: in the operating room, court room, editing room, in the classroom. We are called in our personal apostolate to those who are “by the wayside”, those who may have heard bits and pieces of the Gospel, but need us to understand it. For if we do nothing, the world will give them a Gospel which is much more attractive on a human level, and the little which they may have understood of the true Gospel, will be lost, perhaps forever.
The seeds that fell on stony ground.
For those who seek truth, it is always attractive when it is found. It gives us joy when we discover it. It pleases us when we share it with others and observe the joy that it incites in them when they understand it. However, for many people, the Gospel is easier preached than practiced. It is much easier getting on a soap box and telling people what they should believe and do than to actually believe it and do it ourselves. So, when we eagerly receive the eternal truths of God, safeguarded and taught by Holy Mother Church
The seed that fell among thorns.
There are those of us who hear the Gospel but get too caught up with concerns which lead us away from God. Most things in moderation are good, and even healthy. But, those same things, which begin to take over our lives, and we then become obsessed with, like money, power, leisure, and all sorts of other excesses, begin to replace God in our lives. They become idols and the objects of our idolatry, idol(false god)-latria(worship). So, perhaps we should work on putting our lives in good order, with the most important things in their proper places, and the more peripheral and non-important things last on our list. How often we tackle the easier tasks of our lives first, and then ignore the most important things. God first, everyone else second, ourselves last.
The seed that fell on good ground.
It is important to remember that the chief virtue which is the contrary of the chief sin of pride is humility. It is also interesting to note in the etymology of the word humility, that it comes from the word humus, which means earth. So, humility is to “lower oneself down” to the earth. This is particularly relevant here. What kind of earth are you in the context of the examples which our Lord has described above? Are you wayward, stony, one with thorns, or good ground? God has offered us all the seeds of faith, the seeds of salvation. If we receive them attentively, understandingly, and cultivate it so that it begins to produce fruit, then we have done well for the vineyard of our Lord. If not, then we will reap what we have sown in the end of time. The choice is ours; are you confident that you have chosen well? Are you willing to bet your life on it? One day we will realize how true that is. “ALL IN!”
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